Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin launched two books – Mangroves of Brunei Darussalam: Flora and Fauna and Belalong: Under the Canopy – during the Brunei Darussalam Conference on Biodiversity at the International Convention Centre in Berakas yesterday
The first book, published by the Forestry Department at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism presents the Sultanate’s rich biodiversity, detailing the unique flora and fauna in the mangrove and rainforest ecosystems and underscores the global significance of these often undervalued environments.
The book also highlights the major floral composition of the ecosystem and its vegetative associates. It presented the close relationship of mangroves in providing habitat to important fauna and aquatic life. Meanwhile, Belalong: Under the Canopy was produced by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and co-published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The book celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Brunei Rainforest Project and the establishment of Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) and offers a glimpse into the unique biodiversity and habitats of the tropical rain forest in the Sultanate.
UBD’s strengths in biodiversity research dates to the establishment of the KBFSC, which was the site of the Brunei Rainforest Project in 1991/1992, jointly organised by the Royal Geographical Society and UBD. KBFSC hosted over 70 researchers exploring the rich biodiversity and ecosystems of the Belalong forest.
Today, KBFSC serves as UBD’s premier international field research centre, focusing on high impact research and education activities, with over 600 publications produced to date. – James Kon
